Outside Ski Turns

ATS Phase 2 | Ages 6-10 | 1-4 years skiing

Objective: To ski solely on the outside ski prior to, during and after the ski turn during medium radius highly carved turns.

Primary Skill: Edging

Justification: The ability to ski on the outside ski is essential to optimally maintain balance against extreme external forces created by tight turn radii and high speeds. Without an inside ski to assist with lateral balance and regulate pressure the ski racer is limited to their options with regards to what they can do with the ski.

Coaching Points:

While this drill fits in SkillsQuest as an edging drill, it also has significant components of pressure and rotary skills

This drill should be used often in this phase and in the next phases of the ATS, progressing into more difficult terrain

Progressions to prepare for this drill could include standing on one ski in a straight run, stepping from ski to ski in a straight run, traverses while lifting the uphill ski, traverses stepping from ski to ski, and 1000 steps (stepping from ski to ski through turns)

This drill can be done in a training course

If athletes are struggling with rotational balance while doing this drill, causing them to put the inside ski down, see if they are in a tight upper body position with elbows out. If so, ask them to ski with their hands outside the elbows

This is a core exercise for skiers who lean in or commit their hip to the inside too early in the turn

Outside Ski Turns

Check out the Outside Ski Turns exercise with demonstration by Olympians Erik Schlopy and Doug Lewis.

Break it Down on COE TV

Go straight to the footage and find key frame analysis and related drills on Center of Excellence TV.